US3860138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cargo container latch and door
Assignee: AAR Corp
•
Filing: 1974-01-04
•
Granted: 1975-01-14
•
Expires: 1994-01-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to cargo containers and more particularly, to door and latch assemblies therefore. The invention comprises a dutch door having separate and independent upper and lower door portions interconnected by a unique latch-hinge assembly. The latch-hinge assembly allows the upper door to be disengaged from the lower door, rotated about an upper hinge, and be stored atop the cargo container on a slide thereon which engages with a track extruded in the upper door. The upper and lower doors may, as a unit, be opened by the folding of the lower door onto the upper door about the latch-hinge assembly and a subsequent storage of the two doors atop the cargo container may then be achieved by means of the slide-track engagement.
Inventors
- 👤 John W Lovich
- 👤 Oscar W Meller
- 👤 Frank C Morse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/02; B65D88/12; B65D88/14; B65D90/00; B65D90/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A cargo container door and latch assembly for sealing the front framework of a cargo container having a top, a base, vertical door frame elements interconnecting the top and base, and a header attached to the top and interconnecting the door frame elements, comprising: a top door; a hinge connecting the top door to the header; a bottom door; a latch-hinge assembly interconnecting the top and bottom doors, the latch-hinge assembly adaptable to fixedly interengage the top and bottom doors in one instance, separably release the doors in another instance, and allow rotational movement of one door with respect to the otHer in a third instance; and a latch attached to the bottom door operative to fixedly engage the bottom door to the container framework.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A cargo container door and latch assembly for sealing the front framework of a cargo container having a top, a base, vertical door frame elements interconnecting the top and base, and a header attached to the top and interconnecting the door frame elements, comprising: a top door; a hinge connecting the top door to the header; a bottom door; a latch-hinge assembly interconnecting the top and bottom doors, the latch-hinge assembly adaptable to fixedly interengage the top and bottom doors in one instance, separably release the doors in another instance, and allow rotational movement of one door with respect to the otHer in a third instance; and a latch attached to the bottom door operative to fixedly engage the bottom door to the container framework.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The door and latch assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the top door has edge members along the vertical side edges thereof, the edge members having tracks extruded therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The door and latch assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein two hinges are connected to the header, the hinges having slides connected thereto in sliding engagement with the tracks, the hinge being rotatable about the header through an arc of 90* so that the slides may align with the top of the cargo container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
The cargo container as recited in claim 1 wherein the hinge-latch assembly comprises: a channel member fixedly attached to the top edge of the bottom door, the channel member having a protruding lip overhanging downwardly toward the bottom door, the lip recessing into a cavity; a lateral hinge connected to the bottom edge of the top door; a locking bar connected to the lateral hinge, the locking bar having a locking tongue protruding therefrom, the locking tongue being complementary to the cavity and adaptable to lockingly engage with the cavity such that the tongue engages the cavity at two points and the locking bar engages the protruding lip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cargo container as recited in claim 4 wherein the locking bar transverses the entire width of the bottom door and wherein the locking bar has slots of each end thereof, the slots engageable with tabs pivotally mounted to the channel member, such engagement fixedly retaining the locking bar and tongue in engagement with the recess and lip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The cargo container as recited in claim 1 wherein the bottom has a plurality of shear blades attached thereto and a seal element protrudes from the bottom edge of the bottom door at an angle toward the outside of the door, and wherein the upper door has attached to the bottom edge thereof a flexible seal element operative to engage the bottom door in sealing relationship.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cargo container latch and door assembly for sealing the front framework of a cargo container, comprising: an upper door having edge members along the vertical edges thereof, the edge members having tracks therein, the upper door hingedly connected to the framework; a lower door having latches at the sides thereof to affectuate latching engagement with the framework; and a lateral hinge and latch assembly transversing the widths of the upper and lower doors and interconnecting said doors, a first portion of the assembly being connected to the upper door and a second portion of the assembly being connected to the lower door.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
A cargo container latch and door assembly for sealing the front framework of a cargo container, comprising: an upper door having edge members along the vertical edges thereof, the edge members having tracks therein, the upper door hingedly connected to the framework; a lower door having latches at the sides thereof to affectuate latching engagement with the framework; and a lateral hinge and latch assembly transversing the widths of the upper and lower doors and interconnecting said doors, a first portion of the assembly being connected to the upper door and a second portion of the assembly being connected to the lower door.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The latch and door assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein hinges connect the upper door to the framework, the hinges having slides connected thereto, the slides engaging the tracks on the edge members of the upper door in fixed sliding relationship therewith.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
The cargo container as recited in claim 7 wherein the lateral hinge and latch assembly comprises: a lateral edge member fixedly attached to the lower door and having a protruding element extending therefrom and overhanging a recess contained therein; a hinge element fixedly attached to the lower edge of the upper door; a locking element secured to the hinge and rotatable thereby, the locking element having a tongue extending therefrom, the tongue being complementary to the recess and operative to engage therewith; and securing means affixed to the lower door for engagement with the locking element to retain the locking element in a fixed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cargo container as recited in claim 9 wherein the locking element has slots at each end thereof and wherein the securing means comprise tabs pivotally mounted upon the lower door, the tabs operatively engaging the slots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3672529A
Cited
US3706392A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |